Hi,
About a month ago, I installed a cold water aquarium to keep and observe brook trouts at home. To cool the water, I bought an old dehumidifier, carefully twisted its aluminum evaporator (I am not sure if it is the correct name, but I meen the cold tubular element of the dehumidifier) and lowered it in a plastic container filled with water. In the same container, I immerged a long copper tube in witch the aquarium water circulates. It works as a heat exchanger that very effectively cools the aquarium. Until yesterday...
Some chemical reaction corroded the aluminum tubing of the dehumidifier. White spots and accumulations formed along the tube and caused it to puncture and release freon. I wonder what is the reaction and how I could prevent it? Should I use automobile antifreeze instead of water in the exchanger? Or distillated water?
To keep the water surrounding the two tube circuits in movement (otherwise ice was forming around the evaporator) I placed a small aquarium aerator to generate bubbles. Could it have had an effect?
If anybody can answer this chemical problem, I would realy appreciate: I just bought another used dehumidifier and need to find a fix before my trouts die!
Thank you!...
P.S.: Sorry for my poor english!